A rad-hard +40dBm power amplifier, scalable to >47dBm employing Large-Mode-Area (LMA) Er/Yb co-doped photonic crystal fibers. Photo: Master Image Programmes / Thales Alenia Space

[Via Satellite 07-07-2014] Thales Alenia Space has initiated a project with the European Union and a consortium of companies called HIPPO: High-Power Photonics for Satellite Laser Communications and On-Board Optical Processing. HIPPO is a three year project seeking to combine advanced semiconductor technologies, packaging techniques, photonic crystal fiber technology and advanced fiber-optic component development to spur on the creation of space-capable high power optical components and modules.

Gooch & Housego is the prime contractor for HIPPO, in partnership with Thales Alenia Space, 3-5 lab, Constelex and Fiberware. Thales Alenia Space is responsible for specifying and defining the application framework. The high power photonic components developed by the project will be used for space-based telecommunications, including laser optical links for both inter-satellite and ground-satellite connections. The technology will be vertically integrated to strengthen Europe’s independence from reliance on foreign operators.